Why eLearning Is Essential for Employee Success

From flexible work arrangements to collaborative workspaces and tools, modern businesses continually seek innovative ways to improve employee performance and gain a competitive edge. 

One powerful solution that has emerged, with astounding results, is eLearning. This flexible, cost-effective approach to training and development empowers employees to take charge of their own development. It also helps businesses provide their workforce with new skills and knowledge directly applicable to their roles.

Continue reading to learn about the countless benefits of eLearning for employees.

What is eLearning?

Electronic learning, also known as eLearning, is a form of online learning and training delivered over the Internet. It comprises a wide range of learning activities, including online courses, virtual classrooms, webinars, interactive simulations, and digital resources like videos, podcasts, and e-books. 

What are the main types of eLearning?

We all learn differently. eLearning development caters to these differences by providing a range of learning options, helping you find the best approach. The main types of eLearning include:

1. Video-based training: This type involves instructional videos that present content in a visual and auditory format. It’s useful for delivering lectures, demonstrations or step-by-step guides. 
2. Virtual classrooms: These are live, instructor-led sessions conducted over the internet. They often include real-time interaction, discussions and collaborative activities.
3. Self-paced learning modules: These are structured courses that learners can complete at their own pace. They often include a combination of text, multimedia and assessments.
4. Social learning: This type includes social media and collaboration tools to facilitate learning through peer interactions, discussions and knowledge sharing.
5. What are the benefits of eLearning for employees?

eLearning is a highly effective way for businesses to enhance the personal development and job performance of their employees. Investing in your employees’ learning is also an excellent way to show them you care about their career progression. The benefits of eLearning for employees don’t end there, though. Here are 7 major benefits:

1. Personalised learning experience

eLearning platforms often offer a variety of courses that employees can choose from based on their interests, career goals, or specific job requirements. This customisation helps employees focus on the skills and knowledge most relevant to them.

2. Save on costs

Traditional courses require a physical classroom and printed materials, and they also require students and teachers to travel to a location. All of this quickly becomes costly for businesses. 

Because eLearning is conducted online, it eliminates these requirements and minimises time away from work, making it a more cost-effective solution for both employees and employers.

Moreover, eLearning can be easily scaled to accommodate many employees, significantly reducing costs for organisations of all sizes. 

3. Better engagement for employees

The traditional teaching and learning environment – long lectures, note-taking and endless reading – can be tedious and unengaging for many learners. eLearning provides an engaging solution to this, offering a range of interactive content, from videos and quizzes to simulations, making learning much more enjoyable for employees.

4. Greater performance and productivity

While many courses cover a broad spectrum within a particular subject, you can personalise eLearning to the needs of employees, making their learning experience directly relevant to their job. Keeping learning relevant can lead to immediate improvements in employees’ performance and productivity.

Additionally, eLearning usually requires less time than traditional training methods. This allows employees to quickly gain the knowledge and skills they need without significantly disrupting their work schedule.

5. Enhanced employee satisfaction 

With an eLearning platform, employees can access material whenever they want, empowering them to take control of their own learning and development. Having this personal ownership over their career can increase employees’ job satisfaction. 

Moreover, organisations that invest in employee development through eLearning often see higher levels of employee engagement and retention, as employees feel more valued and supported.

6. Real-time tracking and feedback

eLearning platforms usually provide detailed analytics and reports. This gives employees the ability to track their progress and identify areas for improvement. 

Many eLearning courses also include quizzes and assessments to provide employees with instant feedback on their progress. This is excellent for helping employees understand their strengths and areas that need more focus. 

7. Consistent content delivery

eLearning ensures that all employees receive the same quality of training, regardless of their location. This consistency helps maintain standards across the organisation. Real-world examples of the benefits of eLearning for employees 

1. eLearning for leadership skills

A company recognises its marketing specialist, Jill, would be a great fit for a managerial position. However, the company notices Jill has a skills gap in digital marketing analytics and leadership, which are crucial skills for the role. 

With a personalised eLearning platform, Jill pursues advanced courses in digital marketing analytics and beginner courses in leadership. The eLearning platform tracks her progress and achievements, generating a report she shares with her manager during performance reviews.

Having this tailored approach helps ensure that Jill’s learning is relevant, engaging and aligns with her professional aspirations, ultimately leading to career growth in leadership.

2. eLearning for IT development

An IT professional named John works as a network administrator in a mid-sized company. Recently, his company decided to migrate to a cloud-based infrastructure, and John needs to acquire new skills in cloud computing to manage the transition effectively.

Instead of attending a time-consuming and costly in-person course, John enrols in an eLearning course on cloud computing that he can complete online. The course is self-paced, allowing John to balance his learning with his job responsibilities.

Through the eLearning platform, John gains hands-on experience with cloud technologies, learns best practices for managing cloud infrastructure, and even earns a certification upon completion. This not only equips him with the necessary skills to manage the company’s cloud migration but also enhances his career prospects by adding a valuable certification to his resume.Ready to take your employees’ skills to the next level?

Whether you want to upskill your staff, address skills gaps or save on in-person training costs, our eLearning courses at MCI Solutions are your solution.

From employee training and development and tailored training facilitators to instructional designers and more, our highly experienced team can help support your employees’ continuous growth and give them the skills to excel in their roles.